SchoolScoresSt Swithun's CofE Primary Academy
Academy · Primary, ages 3 to 11 · Mixed · Church of England · Nursery class
Part of DIOCESE OF SOUTHWELL AND NOTTINGHAM MULTI-ACADEMY TRUST
Grove Street, Retford, DN22 6LD
01777 702043 · School website · Map and directions
Ofsted inspection
Ofsted report card from the inspection that started on 13 January 2026 , published 17 March 2026.
In short: 6 needs attention, 1 urgent improvement, and safeguarding met.
Since November 2025 Ofsted grades each area on a five-point scale instead of giving one overall grade. How report cards work.
Category of concern: Requires significant improvement. Ofsted will monitor the school closely until it improves.
| Area | Grade |
|---|---|
| SafeguardingWhether pupils are kept safe. Met or not met. | Met |
| InclusionHow well the school supports disadvantaged pupils and pupils with special educational needs. | Needs attention Fourth of five grades. Below the expected standard; the school needs to improve this. |
| Curriculum and teachingWhat pupils are taught and how well they are taught it. | Needs attention Fourth of five grades. Below the expected standard; the school needs to improve this. |
| AchievementHow well pupils learn and the results they get. | Urgent improvement The lowest of five grades. Ofsted found serious weaknesses that need fixing quickly. |
| Attendance and behaviourWhether pupils come to school and how they behave. | Needs attention Fourth of five grades. Below the expected standard; the school needs to improve this. |
| Personal development and wellbeingPupils' wider development, character and wellbeing. | Needs attention Fourth of five grades. Below the expected standard; the school needs to improve this. |
| Early yearsNursery and reception classes. | Needs attention Fourth of five grades. Below the expected standard; the school needs to improve this. |
| Leadership and governanceHow well leaders and governors run the school. | Needs attention Fourth of five grades. Below the expected standard; the school needs to improve this. |
Read the full Ofsted reports for this school
Source: Ofsted state-funded schools inspection data.
What parents say
30 parents answered Ofsted's Parent View survey between 10 November 2025 and 6 April 2026.
Retford comparisons use the 3 of its 17 state primary schools with comparable results. The other 14 have no published Parent View results (Ofsted only publishes a survey once at least 10 parents answer) or used Ofsted's newer questions, which we don't compare with the older ones.
| Statement | This school | Retford | England |
|---|---|---|---|
| My child is happy at this school 3rd highest of 3 state primary schools with comparable Parent View results in Retford. Higher than 1% of 1,091 state primary schools with comparable Parent View results in England. | 47% | 78% | 83% |
| My child feels safe at this school 3rd highest of 3 state primary schools with comparable Parent View results in Retford. Higher than 3% of 1,091 state primary schools with comparable Parent View results in England. | 60% | 83% | 85% |
| The school makes sure pupils are well behaved 3rd highest of 3 state primary schools with comparable Parent View results in Retford. Higher than 1% of 1,091 state primary schools with comparable Parent View results in England. | 30% | 69% | 78% |
| Bullying was dealt with quickly and effectivelyOf 22 parents whose child had been bullied 7th highest of 7 state primary schools with comparable Parent View results in Nottinghamshire. Higher than 7% of 329 state primary schools with comparable Parent View results in England. | 14% | – | 43% |
| Concerns were dealt with properlyOf 26 parents who had raised a concern 3rd highest of 3 state primary schools with comparable Parent View results in Retford. Higher than 1% of 1,062 state primary schools with comparable Parent View results in England. | 23% | 63% | 74% |
| My child with SEND gets the support they needOf 13 parents of children with SEND 8th highest of 8 state primary schools with comparable Parent View results in Nottinghamshire. Higher than 2% of 552 state primary schools with comparable Parent View results in England. | 23% | – | 63% |
| I would recommend this school to another parent 3rd highest of 3 state primary schools with comparable Parent View results in Retford. Higher than 2% of 1,091 state primary schools with comparable Parent View results in England. | 40%said yes | 75% | 83% |
Parents choose whether to take part, so these answers may not represent all families (Ofsted puts the response rate at 33%). Figures are the share who agree or strongly agree. England figures are all parents answering the same questions over the same period, for state-funded schools. Retford figures pool parents at the Retford schools compared, from each school's latest survey, so survey dates differ between schools. The scales run from lower (left) to higher (right) agreement, and the dot marks this school among state schools of the same phase that used the same survey questions. The third it falls in is coloured: green for the top third, amber the middle, red the bottom. Source: Ofsted Parent View management information.
Results
Key stage 2 (SATs, age 11), 2024/25
12 pupils in this year group.
17% — 47 points below the Nottinghamshire average, and 45 points below the England average.
| Measure | This school | Nottinghamshire | England |
|---|---|---|---|
| Met the expected standard in reading, writing and maths | 17% | 64% | 62% |
| Reached the higher standard in reading, writing and maths | 8% | 7% | 8% |
| Met the expected standard in reading | 50% | 76% | 75% |
| Met the expected standard in writing | 25% | 73% | 72% |
| Met the expected standard in maths | 25% | 76% | 74% |
| Average reading scoreScaled score from 80 to 120; 100 is the expected standard. | 104 | 105 | 106 |
| Average maths scoreScaled score from 80 to 120; 100 is the expected standard. | 100 | 105 | 105 |
Source: DfE key stage 2 performance tables, 2024/25. England figures are for state-funded schools.
Admissions
Apply through the council where you live, even if the school is in a different council area. This school is in Nottinghamshire. The national closing date for primary applications is 15 January, and offers are sent on 16 April.
How hard is it to get in?
For the September 2026 intake there were about one first-choice application for every place.
| Places offered | 8 |
|---|---|
| Families who put it first | 8 |
| Of those, offered a place | 8 (100%) |
| Families who listed it at all | 13 |
First-choice applications per place: 2024: 1.0 · 2025: 0.8 · 2026: 1.0
This isn't your chance of getting a place. That depends on the school's admissions rules (for example siblings, distance or faith) and where you live. Source: DfE applications and offers, September 2026 intake.
This is a Church of England school. When it has more applicants than places it can give priority to families of the faith, for example those who can show regular worship. Check the school's admissions policy to see how places are allocated.
Pupils, staff and SEND
| Pupils | This school | Nottinghamshire | England |
|---|---|---|---|
| Eligible for free school meals in the last 6 years 1st highest of 17 state primary schools in Retford. Higher than 94% of 16,656 state primary schools in England. | 55.4% | 24.1%* | 26.3% |
| With an education, health and care plan 3rd highest of 17 state primary schools in Retford. Higher than 32% of 16,656 state primary schools in England. | 2.2% | 1.5%* | 3.5% |
| Receiving special educational needs support 6th highest of 17 state primary schools in Retford. Higher than 51% of 16,656 state primary schools in England. | 14.4% | 11.8%* | 15.0% |
| English as an additional language 2nd highest of 17 state primary schools in Retford. Higher than 53% of 16,656 state primary schools in England. | 11.1% | 12.9%* | 23.4% |
| Overall absence (sessions missed) 17th lowest of 17 state primary schools in Retford. Lower than 6% of 16,640 state primary schools in England. | 7.6% | 4.9%* | 5.2% |
| Persistently absent (missed 10% or more) 16th lowest of 17 state primary schools in Retford. Lower than 6% of 16,640 state primary schools in England. | 24.4% | 11.5%* | 13.0% |
| Suspensions per 100 pupils 17th lowest of 17 state primary schools in Retford. Lower than 3% of 16,651 state primary schools in England. | 13.3 | 1.6 | 2.5 |
| Pupils suspended at least once 17th lowest of 17 state primary schools in Retford. Lower than 2% of 16,651 state primary schools in England. | 5.6% | 0.8% | 1.1% |
| Pupils permanently excluded0 pupils | 0.00% | 0.01% | 0.03% |
| Pupils per teacher 16th highest of 17 state primary schools in Retford. Higher than 11% of 16,642 state primary schools in England. | 15.9 | 21.3 | 20.7 |
| Pupils per adult (teachers and support staff) 16th highest of 17 state primary schools in Retford. Higher than 2% of 16,653 state primary schools in England. | 6.2 | 11.6 | 10.6 |
| Teachers who left during the year 2nd highest of 15 state primary schools in Retford. Higher than 93% of 15,063 state primary schools in England. | 34.6% | 13.9%* | 14.4%* |
Comparisons are with primary schools. Scales run from lower (left) to higher (right) figures. For absence and suspensions lower is better, so their scales run green to red; blue scales describe the school's pupils and staff and aren't good or bad. * Calculated by SchoolScores from the council's or England's schools, weighted by pupils (or teachers, for turnover); other figures are published by DfE. Sources: DfE school census 2024/25; DfE pupil absence 2024/25; DfE suspensions and permanent exclusions 2024/25; DfE school workforce census 2025/26; DfE teacher turnover 2024/25.
Nearby primary schools
- Carr Hill Primary and Nursery School 0.6 miles · Ofsted: Good (2022) · 21% met expected standard (KS2)
- St Joseph's Catholic Primary School, a Voluntary Academy 0.7 miles · Ofsted: Good (2014, before conversion), confirmed 2024 · 70% met expected standard (KS2)
- Bracken Lane Primary Academy 0.7 miles · Ofsted: Good (2013, before conversion), confirmed 2021 · 72% met expected standard (KS2)
- Thrumpton Primary Academy 0.7 miles · Ofsted: Report card 2026: 7 expected · 61% met expected standard (KS2)
- Ordsall Primary School 0.9 miles · Ofsted: Good (2022) · 58% met expected standard (KS2)
- Hallcroft Infant and Nursery School 1.0 miles · Ofsted: Report card 2026: 1 strong, 6 expected
- Clarborough Primary School 2.1 miles · Ofsted: Good (2011), confirmed 2022 · 59% met expected standard (KS2)
- Sutton-Cum-Lound CofE School 2.8 miles · Ofsted: Good (2022) · 38% met expected standard (KS2)
Straight-line distance. Distance isn't the same as a catchment area.
Questions parents ask
What is St Swithun's CofE Primary Academy's Ofsted rating?
St Swithun's CofE Primary Academy was inspected under Ofsted's report card format in 13 January 2026. Report cards grade each area on a five-point scale instead of giving one overall grade. Its grades were 6 needs attention, 1 urgent improvement, and safeguarding was met.
How did St Swithun's CofE Primary Academy do in its SATs?
In 2024/25, 17% of pupils met the expected standard in reading, writing and maths, 45 points below the England average of 62%.
Would parents recommend St Swithun's CofE Primary Academy?
40% of the 30 parents who answered Ofsted's Parent View survey between 10 November 2025 and 6 April 2026 said they would recommend St Swithun's CofE Primary Academy to another parent. Parents choose whether to respond, so this may not represent all families.
Is St Swithun's CofE Primary Academy oversubscribed?
For the September 2026 intake, 8 families put St Swithun's CofE Primary Academy as their first choice for 8 places: about one first-choice application for every place. 8 of those families were offered a place. Whether you get a place depends on the school's admissions rules and where you live.
Sources
- School details: Get Information about Schools (DfE), 26 September 2026. URN 145447.
- Inspections: Ofsted management information, data to 31 August 2026.
- Parent views: Ofsted Parent View, 10 November 2025 to 6 April 2026.
- Results: DfE school performance tables, Key stage 2 2024/25.
Spotted a mistake? Report it and we'll check it against the source.
Page updated 26 September 2026.